8 New MI Laws That Will Change Your Life In 2024

MICHIGAN — With 2024 less than two weeks away, it's time to look at a few new laws that are going into place in Michigan next year.

Almost all the laws passed will go into effect 90 days after the legislature ends, which is Feb. 13, 2024. Only the minimum wage increase goes into effect on Jan. 1.

Here are some of Michigan's new laws going into effect in 2024 and how'll they can impact your life:

Minimum Wage Increase

Michigan's minimum wage will increase by nearly a quarter from $10.10 to $10.33 on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. For tipped workers, the minimum wage will also increase to $3.93 per hour, up from $3.84. The change is thanks to Michigan’s Improved Workforce Opportunity Wage Act of 2018.

More Gun Control

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed three significant gun control packages in 2024, including new safe storage laws, stronger background checks and "Red-Flag" laws.

With the new Safety storage laws, a gun owner must lock their weapon away if there is a minor in the house. The stronger background checks will require a background check for anyone buying a firearm, either through a private sale or at a gun show, regardless of how they are buying it.

The so called "Red-Flag" laws allow certain people, such as family members, law enforcement and health providers to ask a court to temporarily take guns away from people they believe can injure themselves or other people.

No More Right-To-Work

Republicans made Michigan a "right-to-work" state over a decade ago, allowing workers in unionized workplaces to opt out of paying union dues and fees. Michigan became the first state in 58 years to repeal a "right-to-work" law.

Democrats argued that the law allowed for "free riders" that received union representation without having to pay fees or dues. With the law scrapped, unions can require all workers in a unionized workplace to pay fees for the cost of representation in bargaining.

Michigan's Drive Toward Clean Energy

In November, Whitmer signed legislation that aims to make Michigan 100 percent clean energy by 2040. The act empowers the Michigan Public Service Commission to plan large-scale solar power projects. Currently, only 12 percent of Michigan's energy is from renewable sources - mostly from wind.

Michigan Teens Can Pre-Register To Vote

The new law allows 16-year-old high school students in Michigan to pre-register to vote. The new law was passed after Michigan led the nation in youth voter turnout in the 2022 elections.

"This new law helps us prepare the next generation of voters to inherit their democracy, bolstering our state’s commitment to engaging young people, educating them about the democratic process, and getting them ready to cast a ballot once they turn 18," Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said.

Prevailing Wage Act Is Back

The new law restores a prevailing wage act, which Republicans repealed in 2018. The new act requires contractors hired for state projects to pay union-level wages. Opponents of prevailing wage generally argue it artificially raises the cost of state construction jobs.

No More Third-Grade Reading Law

Michigan passed the third-grade reading law in 2016 when less than half of Michigan third-graders got a passing score on the reading portion of M-Step. The law required schools to identify students who were struggling with reading and writing. They were then held behind for a year if they are more than one grade level behind.

With that bill expiring in 2024, Whitmer signed a bill that allows schools to inform parents about intervention options if their child receives a low score, instead of holding the students back for a year.

LGBTQ+ Protections

Whitmer expanded the Elliott-Larsen Act to protect the rights of those within the LGBTQ+ community relating to employment, housing, education, and access to accommodations.